Referring to the series:
- Ass Pull: Sylvia shows no interest or aptitude in event planning. It’s never even mentioned as something she likes to do – we don’t see her plan her kid’s birthday parties, and the one event she attempts to host (Will’s divorce party) goes over like a lead balloon. During the final episode is goaded into planning Andy and Katie’s wedding. A year alter, she has a thriving events business.
- Common Knowledge: Because of the premise – two college friends hanging out for the first time in nearly 20 years and rekindling a deep bond – many viewers tended to expect the series would culminate in Sylvia and Will getting together or at least coming close, when they don't do anything the least bit compromising. Interestingly, many early reviewers who had the entire series screened said upfront that the series is not about them getting together, but many viewers were still waiting for it.
- Designated Villain:
- Charlie might be this, depending on how sympathetic you think the show is toward Sylvia and Ben. As Sylvia’s husband, he’s the type of character who might commonly be seen as stifling, unsupportive and suspicious. However, he’s actually very supportive of his wife and her friendship with Will and even gets her a job (at which she burns a serious bridge with a prominent lawyer) and his jealousy is less about thinking Sylvia is cheating on him and more that Sylvia has a level of emotional intimacy with Will that he envies.
- Peyton seems like a character you’re supposed to hate, because she’s an obvious bad match for Will and her reaction to Sylvia’s words are highly dramatic, but she’s ultimately a very fun and sweet 26-year-old who is able to stand on her own after being dumped by Will.
- Iron Woobie: Will is a literal version with all the physical abuse he takes, which includes getting glass lodged in his arm and storming through Sylvia's sliding door, shattering it and getting quite a few nasty cuts.
- Jerkass Woobie: Will and Sylvia to a T. Sylvia leans more Woobie than Jerkass and Will is the other way around, but overall they are still both relatively sympathetic people for whom nothing seems to go right (Sylvia’s confidence from not working is incredibly low, she feels no purpose beyond being a “housewife,” she has no passions; Will’s business partners don’t get him and he’s incredibly lonely after his divorce) who are also alienating to others and often the cause of their own misery. In particular, Will’s marriage ended because he cheated on Audrey.
